Wildcat (Lake Compounce)

Wildcat
Lake Compounce
Coordinates	41°38′27″N 72°55′23.3″W / 41.64083°N 72.923139°W / 41.64083; -72.923139Coordinates: 41°38′27″N 72°55′23.3″W / 41.64083°N 72.923139°W / 41.64083; -72.923139
Status	Operating
Opening date	1927
General statistics
Type	Wood – Out and back
Manufacturer	Dinn Corporation
Designer	Herbert Paul Schmeck
Lift/launch system	Chain
Height	85 ft (26 m)
Drop	73.7 ft (22.5 m)
Length	2,746 ft (837 m)
Speed	48 mph (77 km/h)
Inversions	0
Duration	1:30
Height restriction	48 in (122 cm)
Wildcat at RCDB Pictures of Wildcat at RCDB

Wildcat is the name of a wooden roller coaster located at Lake Compounce in Bristol, Connecticut. It was built in 1927 and is the park's centerpiece. It is one of the world's oldest operating roller coasters (in operation at the same location). With a first drop of only 73 feet, it's not too intense making it popular with younger guests. The entire structure was rebuilt with new wood in 1985, and the last bunny hills were retracked in 2004. The Wildcat went down for refurbishment on September 17, 2006 and reopened for the 2007 operating season. During its refurbishment, the brake runs were completely removed and rebuilt with new magnetic brakes. The station also received air gates in the queue line and individual seat belts were added to each seat. The ride was retracked by Martin & Vleminckx.^[1] The Wildcat's trains were built by the Philadelphia Toboggan Company. Before the Wildcat was built, the Green Dragon Coaster used to stand in its place. It bears a striking resemblance to the now-defunct Wildcat roller coaster that used to reside at Elitch Gardens in Denver.

Wildcat Timeline

• 1927: Opened to the Public

• 1985: Reconstructed with new wood

• 1998: Fully Retracked

• 2004: Final bunny hill run retracked, Seat dividers installed

• 2007: Magnetic brakes installed for ability of two train operation, Air gates added to queue, Individual seat belts installed, Most of the track was repainted, blue train repainted Purple, leaving the Wild Cat with one Red train and one Purple.
• 2012 Track Refurbishment

References

1. ↑ "Retracking". Martin & Vleminckx. Retrieved 17 November 2013.